Government's £60m investment will help make West Midlands 'creative powerhouse' - says Mayor

Last week, UK Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy announced that the West Midlands is set to receive part of a Government growth package aimed at ramping up creative industries across the country, which it says is the 'first step' of an industry plan for the creative sector.

While only a limited number of specific projects were highighted in the announcement, the Government says the funding includes investments for start-up video game studios, grassroots music venues and creative businesses to boost British music and film exports, which will it says will facilitate "investment and innovation in communities", in turn supporting businesses and employment. 

A total of 12 West Midlands businesses are also named as recipients of a share in a £16.2m Cultural Development Fund.

"The West Midlands is bursting with incredible talent in film, TV, theatre, gaming, and beyond. With this government backing, the BBC’s Tea Factory in Digbeth, and the film production hub with Steven Knight, we’re turning our region into a creative powerhouse," said Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands.

"This isn't just about entertainment, it will create jobs, attract fresh investment and continue to spark innovation. This will deliver real opportunities for local people and help to revitalise our communities. The West Midlands isn’t just part of the UK’s creative economy; I want it to be the beating heart." 

The Government says the funding will include a further £16.3 million for the Create Growth Programme, £2.5 million for the Supporting Grassroots Music Fund, £5.5 million for the UK Games Fund, £1.6 million for the Music Export Growth Scheme and £7 million for the UK Global Screen Fund.

In addition the Government-backed British Business Bank, which supports £17.4 billion of finance to over 64,000 smaller businesses, says it intends to increase its support for creative businesses to access extra finance to fund growth.

UK Culture secretary Lisa Nandy said the funding formed part of the Government’s new Industrial Strategy, which it says is a "credible, 10-year plan to deliver the certainty and stability businesses need" to invest in the high growth sectors that will drive the Government's "growth mission".  

"From film and fashion to music and advertising, our creative industries are truly world-class and play a critical role in helping us deliver on this Government’s mission to drive economic growth in all parts of the UK," she said.

"Our £60 million funding boost will support creative and cultural organisations across the UK to turbocharge growth by transforming local venues, creating jobs, supporting businesses and spreading opportunity across the country.

"But this is by no means the limit of our ambitions, which is why the creative industries are at the heart of the forthcoming Industrial Strategy and will continue to play a key part in this Government’s Plan for Change."

A report published by the BBC earlier this year said jobs in the region's creative industries could double by 2040 as a result of a plan by the corporation to incest more in the UK's wider regions.